Optical apparatus and automobile lighting

Abstract

An optical apparatus includes first and second substrates disposed to oppose each other, the first substrate having a first electrode provided on a surface of the first substrate nearer to the second substrate, and the second substrate having a second electrode provided on a surface of the second substrate nearer to the first substrate, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the first and the second substrates, and containing electro-deposition material including silver, wherein when potential of the first electrode is used as reference, a first voltage of positive polarity is applied in a first period to the second electrode, and a second voltage of positive polarity lower than the first voltage is applied in a second period after the first period to the second electrode.

What are claimed are: 
     
       1. An optical apparatus comprising:
 an optical element; and 
 a power source, 
 wherein the optical element comprises: 
 first and second substrates disposed to face each other and having flexibility, the first substrate having a first electrode provided on a surface of the first substrate nearer to the second substrate, and the second substrate having a second electrode provided on a surface of the second substrate nearer to the first substrate, and 
 an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the first and the second substrates, and containing electro-deposition material including silver; 
 a sealing member sandwiched between the first and the second substrates and surrounding the electrolyte layer, and shaped into a frame with four side portions in plan view; 
 concaves provided on an inside edge of one of the side portions constituting the sealing member; and 
 swellings provided on an outside edge of the side portion on which the concaves are provided, and paired and faced with the concaves, respectively, and 
 wherein the power source is connected to the first and second electrodes, and is capable of applying voltage to the electrolyte layer through the first and second electrodes and changing color states of the optical element. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein when potential of the first electrode is used as reference, the power source is capable of applying a first voltage of positive polarity in a first period to the second electrode, and applying a second voltage of positive polarity lower than the first voltage in a second period after the first period to the second electrode. 
     
     
       3. The optical apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein when potential of the first electrode is used as reference, the power source is capable of applying positive dc voltage to the second electrode. 
     
     
       4. The optical apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second substrate includes a conductive irregular surface layer, the surface of which is at least rougher than the surface of the first electrode, provided on the surface of the second electrode. 
     
     
       5. The optical apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the power source is also capable of supplying a negative dc voltage to the second electrode when potential of the first electrode is used as reference. 
     
     
       6. Automobile lighting comprising:
 a light source capable of emitting white lights; 
 a cover member disposed to cover the light source, and having a lens function; 
 an optical element disposed on an inner or outer surface of the cover member, and comprising:
 first and second substrates disposed to face each other and having flexibility, the first substrate having a first electrode provided on a surface of the first substrate nearer to the second substrate, and the second substrate having a second electrode provided on a surface of the second substrate nearer to the first substrate, and 
 an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the first and the second substrates, and containing electro-deposition material including silver; 
 a sealing member sandwiched between the first and the second substrates and surrounding the electrolyte layer, and shaped into a frame with four side portions in plan view; 
 concaves provided on an inside edge of one of the side portions constituting the sealing member; and 
 swellings provided on an outside edge of the side portion on which the concaves are provided, and paired and faced with the concaves, respectively; and 
 
 a power source connected to the first and second electrodes, and being capable of applying voltage to the electrolyte layer through the first and second electrodes and changing color states of the optical element. 
 
     
     
       7. The automobile lighting according to  claim 6 , wherein the second substrate of the optical apparatus includes a conductive irregular surface layer, the surface of which is at least rougher than the surface of the first electrode, provided on the surface of the second electrode. 
     
     
       8. The automobile lighting according to  claim 6 , wherein when potential of the first electrode is used as reference, the power source is capable of applying a first voltage of positive polarity in a first period to the second electrode, and applying a second voltage of positive polarity lower than the first voltage in a second period after the first period to the second electrode.